I am and have always been a rimfire guy for gophers and other rodents. I have wanting something for backyard target practice that will be somewhat quiet. We also have serious urban issue of gophers where rimfires just wpuldn't be allowed but I could get away with some air rifle shooting at certain locations. I watched a video on the impact m3 and it seems pretty top notch. Is that thing overkill foe what my purposes? Any other options?
Shopping for air rifle. Seems like FX is most popular?
- Thread starter Cody01
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I picked up my Impact M3 .22 last Tuesday, and it's by far the nicest piece of mechanical engineering I have ever seen. I am not a hunter but from the hundreds of video's on youtube it's pretty evident that it's a very capable rifle for anything from rats to deer (in larger calibers).
As far as plinking goes: by turning a few dials I can set it up to shoot anywhere between 450 - 1060 fps with 15.89 grain JSB pellets. Even at the highest power settings it's quiet enough for me to shoot it inside the very limited confines of my student dorm room in the middle of the night, no noise complaints yet. And that's with just the included barrel shroud and very simple baffle-less suppressor that you get with the rifle.
Can't say enough nice things about this gun. It's a complete joy to shoot.
As far as plinking goes: by turning a few dials I can set it up to shoot anywhere between 450 - 1060 fps with 15.89 grain JSB pellets. Even at the highest power settings it's quiet enough for me to shoot it inside the very limited confines of my student dorm room in the middle of the night, no noise complaints yet. And that's with just the included barrel shroud and very simple baffle-less suppressor that you get with the rifle.
Can't say enough nice things about this gun. It's a complete joy to shoot.
I see a lot of posts for Raw Uragan and Vulcan on here to I have a Raw hm1000x. And a FX I like them both equally I just haven't tried any other high end guns yet
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You have tons of options. Maybe it would help to first set your "all-in" budget. That would include the rifle, scope, and air source (compressor or bottle). Another helpful decision would be to think about if you like the looks of a classic rifle, or a tactical/military look. Lastly, the caliber that would fit your needs. It sounds like a .22 would suit you, but there are a lot of choices to think about. A high-powered .177 would be plenty for gophers, but not for something larger like racoons. .22 is very popular and has plentiful choices of pellets.
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A lot of PCPs will do the job on gophers, particularly sub 50 yards. If you think about it practically and do your “due diligence.” You’ll find many of the different brands available can suit. At varying price points. Basically you don’t need a top tier gun to kill small pest in small areas. Good luck in your search. You will need a HPA source…
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I really enjoy my Taipan Veteran Standard in .22 cal. It is very quite, has a great trigger and feels great in the hands. Can be filled with a handpump fairly easy. If I could only keep one it would be my Veteran. I also have a Fx Wildcat mk1.
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What's with this...price "point" thing ? Just "price", or "cost" doesn't work ? Seems the new "cool" phrase to use when talking money.
Cody -
YES...what L.Leon says.
There are MANY good air rifles (AND some pistols) on the market that will do the job you want, much more so than "just" FX guns.
Read the manufacturers information, read the "reviews" online, watch the "many" YouTube videos on the gun that you might be interested in. Be sure to watch more than one video. Some just read off the guns spec's, and do a little target shooting.
Some YouTube reviewers go into a lot more detai. about the guns that they review.
Mike
The only other thing I would suggest is try to find an Air Gun Store and handle some of the different guns you might want. If there are none local, see if there are any air gun clubs in your area.
PCP's don't feel, handle or operate like PB's do. They are usually heavier. Good luck
PCP's don't feel, handle or operate like PB's do. They are usually heavier. Good luck
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m3 are great guns revere by daystat is another lotta nice stuff out to look at but m3 is really nice so is lotta others if you caan get bottle and gun get m3 you will love it
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I own 3 FX guns but I don't consider myself an "FX" fan boy but more of a "platform" fanboy. I look for accuracy, reliability, consistency & SIMPLICITY of design so there is less apt to go wrong. The platform I shoot is the Bobcat, Royale, Boss platform. No tinkering, virtually no maintenance (cleaning ONCE A YEAR!) & the surety my guns will still be zeroed each time I pull them out. I put a number of other guns in that category too (Taipan Vet, Daystate Huntsman, AGT Vulcan & others I'm forgetting). No need to tinker, just the joy of superb accuracy, JUST!
EDIT: I forgot to add that the platform I shoot was designed around JSB pellets (Original Smooth Twist barrels) & will not shoot slugs AT ALL with any acceptable accuracy. I still make 100+ yard shots consistently & have no interest in going down the "slug rabbit hole" .
EDIT: I forgot to add that the platform I shoot was designed around JSB pellets (Original Smooth Twist barrels) & will not shoot slugs AT ALL with any acceptable accuracy. I still make 100+ yard shots consistently & have no interest in going down the "slug rabbit hole" .
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When I was shopping, a couple of the FX guns were high on my list.
Very adjustable and adaptable to any type of shooting you might want to do.
But in the end, since this was going to be my first regulated PCP I went with another brand that was a much simpler design.
I may still get an FX someday, but for now, I am very happy with a gun with only a regulator and hammer spring settings to worry with.
Very adjustable and adaptable to any type of shooting you might want to do.
But in the end, since this was going to be my first regulated PCP I went with another brand that was a much simpler design.
I may still get an FX someday, but for now, I am very happy with a gun with only a regulator and hammer spring settings to worry with.
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I'm not a fan of FX guns for the most part. Just sold my last one and would not buy another. Plenty of other manufactures I would look at first. That's just my opinion.
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I would get something with iron sights because most shots will be close and it's difficult shooting a scope vary close aiming down their hole.
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Cody01 must be at the airgun shop picking up a new FX rifle.....
The FX is a nice gun that can do just about anything you want with it. I have shot one and would like to own one. That said there are some very accurate air rifles for way less than half the price that you might enjoy just as much if not more for the purpose you are wanting it for.
An easy fix for that is a a red dot sight mounted on top of one of the rings, or on a 45 degree mount off to one side. Zero it at 10 yards or even closer and you can have it both ways.
The FX is a nice gun that can do just about anything you want with it. I have shot one and would like to own one. That said there are some very accurate air rifles for way less than half the price that you might enjoy just as much if not more for the purpose you are wanting it for.
An easy fix for that is a a red dot sight mounted on top of one of the rings, or on a 45 degree mount off to one side. Zero it at 10 yards or even closer and you can have it both ways.
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Yes, many options, but a lot depends on your budget. Since you mentioned FX, I will assume the neighborhood of $1,500 for rifle only. IMO, FX is very much a marketing driven company, nothing wrong there, you gotta sell stuff. But my observation has been, sometimes they pop the cake out when it's still a bit mushy in the middle. They have some innovative designs, but most of their newer rifles are relatively complicated, and maybe not the best choice as a first PCP. Again, just my opinion. Here is a list I would offer for your consideration: FX Royale, Daystate Revere, Weihrauch HW00, RAW HM1000. The Boss/Royale FX platform is their old one, using a solid, smooth twist barrel. Although its innards are not as robust as the others I list, it has proven to be a very reliable rifle, and its design is simple. So much depends on personal preference, your first choice may not be the one you keep, but heck, where's the fun in buying only one rifle?
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I was looking at the Zbroia Hortitsia. It is reportedly robust, accurate and fits the traditional style of a rifle.
There is nothing wrong with the M3. I own one and I'm happy with it.
There is nothing wrong with the M3. I own one and I'm happy with it.
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M
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Hi Cody01. Since this would apparently be your first air rifle, maybe it would be best to get something relatively inexpensive.
For example, a spring-powered or gas pneumatic break-barrel rifle might meet your needs. There is next to zero maintenance on them and one of these in 22 caliber might be all you need as far as power is concerned. There is no need for hand-pumps or air compressors. Just put a cheap scope on it. Before you buy one, you should probably see if a silencer can be fitted to it.
Another less expensive option would be something like an Air Venturi Avenger regulated PCP rifle. They are currently only $350. They are offered in calibers up to 25 cal. You would need a way to get air into the tank which can be done with either a high-pressure hand pump (about $200 just rough guess) or a high pressure compressor which is a subject and expense all it's own.
It's just something to consider before spending a lot of money. My buddy and I both pitched in and bought an expensive air rifle. Sometimes I think my buddy actually has more fun with an Air Ventury Avenger and the old break-barrel rifle I gave him. He doesn't worry about the cheap air rifles getting broken or anything like that and he just has fun. But when he grabs the expensive rifle -- he always seems a bit timid with it, like he's worried about breaking it or getting a bit of dirt or mud on it, or whatever.
grungy
EDIT: I incorrectly referred to one type of break-barrel above as a gas pneumatic. It's not pneumatic. It's gas piston. Basically when you cock it, you are compressing gas in a sealed chamber rather than compressing a coiled spring.
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